The devastating war in Sudan is pushing the country towards a catastrophic famine, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. The situation is dire, with severe malnutrition among young children reaching alarming levels. Outbreaks of cholera, measles, and malaria are further exacerbating the already dire situation.
In January 2024, Doctors Without Borders conducted an assessment at Zamzam Camp in North Darfur, revealing malnutrition and mortality rates above emergency levels. Mass child nutrition screenings in Central Darfur and Gezira states in February 2024 showed alarming levels of child wasting. Tragically, the State Ministry of Health in West Darfur confirmed the deaths of 14 children due to malnutrition in February.
The upcoming lean season is expected to worsen the malnutrition crisis, with millions of children in urgent need of nutrition support living in hard-to-reach areas. Access to these vulnerable populations is crucial to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
UNICEF has been working tirelessly to provide life-saving treatment to children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. However, many children in conflict-affected areas are not receiving the critical care they need. Rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access is essential to reach these children and provide them with essential nutrition supplies, vaccines, and safe water.
The international community must mobilize resources to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan. UNICEF alone requires $240 million for its famine prevention response. Time is of the essence, and urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life among children in Sudan.
Children cannot wait for the world to act. They need help now to survive this devastating crisis.